Around Waarland  (Rondje Waarland)

Distance 14 km (from Dirkshorn 16 km).

Kayak-rentals:

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/netherlands/dirkshorn/41417992

Starting point De Buizerd, Noord Scharwoude:Take the N242 from Alkmaar towards Middenmeer. Exit to the left in the direction Oudkarspel. After the traffic-lights you turn right twice when you have crossed the bridge. Here you find "De Buizerd". Starting point Waarland: For camping "De Luwe Stek" you must go a little further north  at the N242. Turn left in the direction Waarland. The camping is on your right just after you passed the bridge. Starting point Dirkshorn: Another suitable starting point is in the center of Dirkshorn on the main road Alkmaar-Schagen (N245). There is a small harbour with parking space just on the edge of the water. This is a marked trip and green signs in the water will show you the way. The trip makes a big circle around the village Waarland, and is therefor named  "Rondje Waarland", which means "Around Waarland". The circle is about 14 km. If you start and finish at Dirkshorn you'll make 2 more kilometers because Dirkshorn is a little away from the circle.

Oudkarspel

From Dirkshorn you go straight on under the bridge of the N245. Here you come to a small lake. Follow the south side, and straight across there is another canal. After two wooden bridges and a few bends you come at a junction where the circle around Waarland begins. Here you can go straight on and follow the circle clockwise or turn right and make the circle counter-clockwise. The latter is recommended if there is a strong wind from the west. Then you'll have a tailwind on the canal from Oudkarspel towards Zijdewind. If you decide to do so you paddle south for a few kilometers. When you reach Oudkarspel you can see the shipyard as on the photo above. A little further on the passage along the church is very pretty. After the church you turn left. You come at a small nature preserve named "Waartje". There is a small lake with big trees around it. Then you come at the canal "Omval-Kolhorn". A little to the south there are locks. Here is starting-point "De Buizerd". The situation at the locks has changed in 2004. In the past it was not possible to carry the kayak passed the locks named Roskamsluis as at the northern site (direction Alkmaar) there was a sloping stone edge. Now there is a nice low site where you can easily step into the kayak. To get to the other site of the locks you have to carry the kayak from a point before the bridge, then follow the parallel road across the bridge, cross the main road at the traffic lights following the bike-road passed the locks (about 200 meters!). I had a talk to the lock-keeper. He is willing to lock trough kayaks during opening hours. Mo - Fr: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. During weekends and national holidays: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. To continue the "Rondje Waarland" follow the canal to the east. After 2 km you pass a bridge near Waarland where is starting-point "De Luwe Stek". Go further east and turn left after you've passed the railroad bridge. Now you're heading north and pass the village Zijdewind. Just keep following the canal because there are no more side-canals until you reach the junction near Dirkshorn where the trip started. If you started at "De Buizerd" or at "De Luwe Stek", turn left here, otherwise you go straight on towards Dirkshorn.

Starting point Dirkshorn. This is a small harbour with no facilities. Only local people have their small boats here.

Windmill at Zijdewind

Starting Point De Buizerd at Noord Scharwoude. 

Het Waartje.

The church of Oudkarspel

Dirkshorn - Barsingerhorn (9.5 km., 6 portages)

It is possible to kayak to Schagen, Barsingerhorn and Kolhorn. From Dirkshorn you go east and pass the lake. In the canal you come at a wooden bridge and a pumping station. Here you carry the kayak across the dike to the canal on the left. After a culvert you turn left, then after a short distance right and after another short distance left again. Then you have 2 portages at Tolke. Keep going straigt on and follow the main canal towards Schagen. At the next portage there is an electric cattle fence, but it can be opened easily. When you come at the first houses you turn right. After a T-junction you turn left and then you turn right under a railroad bridge. After a short distance you have to carry across a small dike. You then go to the left and turn right again. After you leave Schagen you go under a  main road. Turn left, and then right again. You come at a pumping station named De Snevert. Then you turn right again and head for Barsingerhorn.

First portage after Dirkshorn in the direction Schagen. You go to the canal after the trees where you find a kayak pier.

Tolke.